Michele McPhee at Los Angeles Magazine reports 2,000 Union-represented SoFi Stadium Workers have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a Strike just a week before the venue will stage the first FIFA World Cup game in the United States in more than three decades. Negotiations are continuing on a contract between UNITE HERE Local 11, which represents the Hospitality Workers, Cooks, Dishwashers, Concession Workers and Bartenders at the stadium’s food-service operators for Legends Global. Much of the dispute is not centered on wages and benefits - Workers want guarantees U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be barred from the stadium. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said enforcement will be centered on human trafficking, which is a common law enforcement issue during large sporting events. The timing is critical because the United States Men’s National Team is scheduled to play its opening World Cup match against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, which, because of FIFA rules, will be rebranded Los Angeles Stadium, on Friday (June 12th). If negotiations fail and Workers Strike, it will create a major headache for FIFA. Because FIFA requires strict, pre-approved background checks for all stadium personnel, Legends Global’s backup plan to use temporary replacement Workers could run into massive delays, threatening to disrupt operations for the 70,000 fans expected at the opening match.

To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: World Cup Strike Threat Looms Over SoFi Stadium Opener

Photo Courtesy Of UNITE HERE Local 11.